WHO progress Global plan on dementia

30 January 2017 - The Executive Board of the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended that the draft Global plan on the public health response to dementia 2017-2025be put before all WHO Member States at the World Health Assembly in May. The decision was made after a statement was delivered by ADI at the 140th session of the Board in Geneva.

Area one of the plan, ‘Dementia as a public health priority’ supports the urgent message that governments must develop national plans to address the impact of dementia in their communities.

The recommendation for the plan to be placed before all countries at the World Health Assembly in May 2017 was made this morning following a statement on behalf of ADI, by Ms Silvia Perel-Levin, Chair of the NGO Committee on Ageing at the United Nations.

The meeting follows the publication of the 'zero draft' in December 2016, containing seven areas for action on dementia awareness, risk reduction, diagnosis, care and treatment, support for care partners and research.

The statement urges that member states must prepare now to meet the targets of the plan in partnership with people with dementia and Alzheimer associations everywhere.